Stay in France
The Cité Internationale des Arts provides a stay of limited duration to professional artists who wish to develop their artistic skills in France. It has been a public benefit foundation since 1957 and is linked to a vast network of partners and associates worldwide.
Art Residency in Paris
The Cité Internationale des Arts provides a residency to professional artists who wish to develop their artistic skills in France. It has been a public benefit foundation since 1957 and is linked to a vast network of partners and associates worldwide. Its founders include a large number of states, schools, institutes, universities and ministries from close to 50 countries. Three of its historic founders and key partners are the City of Paris and the French Ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs.
The site, located at 18 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, includes 312 individual studios in the heart of the Marais district. It is a dynamic quarter swarming with art galleries and is a favourite destination for Parisians. Residents may practice their artistic discipline and develop their creative techniques for the duration of their stay at the Cité. The complex also houses exhibition areas where artists can display their works.. Since its opening in 1965, the Cité has accommodated more than 18 000 artists from all over the world.
In the early 1980s SANAVA acquired three atelier apartments at the Cité for the benefit of South African visual artists who have been members of a branch of the association for at least two immediately preceding years. The apartments are held in trust in terms of an Occupational Rights Agreement by the SANAVA Cité des Arts Trust, valid until 22 March 2060.
The apartments create golden opportunities for those who have already shown proof of their artistic merit to spend a few months in Paris; to enrich their lives while living and working in a world metropolis, known for its cultural richness; and to experience the cultures of, and interact with artists from all over the world.
About the Cité
Founded in 1965, the Cité internationale des arts is today the largest artist residency center in the world.Its ideal location in the heart of Paris is an added value for artists to interact with the cultural scene of the French capital, making the Cité an important hub in the cultural landscape of Paris and internationally.
The Cité internationale des arts is located on two complementary sites: one in the Marais district and the other in Montmartre. With its 135 French and international partners, it has welcomed more than 22000 artists from 100 countries in more than 300 studios. Artists from all disciplines but also curators are hosted for residencies that can last from 2 to 12 months.
The ambitious project of the Cité international des arts is to provide artists the adequate environment to encourage encounters, artistic crossovers and creativity. It is a place open to dialogue between cultures, where artists meet their audiences and professionals.
Location : 18 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris & Montmartre, 75018 Paris
SANAVA Studios
Studio 1731 (Annex)
Located in the annex 15 rue Geoffroy l’Asnier, 7500, Paris on the third floor with lift.
Location: 15, rue Geoffroy-l’Asnier, 75004 Paris. Please note that upon arrival, you need to go to the reception desk of the main building, which is located : 18, rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris (2 min from the annex building).
Studio 8113
Studios 8113 and 8116 are located in the main building on the first floor with lift. Studio 8113 faces the river Seine (you can see it in winter because the trees have no leaves).
Location: Site du Marais, 18 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris.
Studio 8116
Studios 8113 and 8116 are located in the main building on the first floor with lift. Studio 8116 faces a car park and a garden.
Location: Site du Marais, 18 rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, 75004 Paris.
How to Apply:
Application process:
Any member of a SANAVA branch is welcome to apply for a residency.
- The duration of the residency in one of SANAVA’s studios in the Cité Internationale des Arts will be for a maximum of three months and the minimum being two months.
- An artist, who wishes to benefit by a working stay in the Cité Internationale des Arts, should first contact the SANAVA secretary at info@sanava.co.za requesting the possible open dates for the following years. The artist will then be ‘prebooked’ for that specific date. Please note this is booking is not a confirmation of your residency, only a preliminary booking.
- The applicant should complete the application with the documents and information mentioned in the enclosed memorandum and send them to the SANAVA secretary between 8 and 6 months before your preliminarily booked date. SANAVA retains the right to submit the portfolio to a second panel for consideration. Please note: The memorandum contains information, e.g. references to figures, amounts, etc. that may be revised from time to time.
Restrictions:
- An applicant has to be a member in good standing at a SANAVA branch for at least two years.
- In view of the increased interest in being accommodated in the Cité Internationale des Arts, and to ensure equitable compliance in the case of more applications, successful applicants shall not reapply within a period of four years following their stay in a SANAVA studio, subject to the discretion of SANAVA’s management.
Financial Commitments:
- Whilst occupation of a SANAVA studio is rent-free, it is expected of the occupant to pay a monthly levy directly to the Cité Administration with regard to the supply of linen, equipment, heating, electricity, etc. This amount, payable by the artist once in Paris, may vary from year to year, and according to the number of occupants of the studio. A supplement is charged for any stay shorter than five months. Before continuing with the application, request the current levy fees from the SANAVA secretariat.
- Artists who apply successfully for a stay in the Cité, are expected per sojourn and before leaving for Paris, to donate to SANAVA (as a token of appreciation) an artwork chosen and approved by SANAVA from the portfolio submitted. With regard to other individuals closely associated with the visual arts (eg. curators, art administrators, cinematographers, architects, etc.) a contribution of R2 500.00 (two thousand five hundred rand) will be expected.
- To ensure funds for future renovations and studio upkeep, each resident will be invoiced R2000.